One direction Sickfics/Kidfics

Faking it? (Niam Family)

"Lou, c'mon, get up. We're running late," Liam called from the doorway, checking his watch for what felt like the hundredth time this morning.

Louis groaned, burrowing further under his covers. "No, Dad. I don't feel good," he mumbled, his voice muffled by the blankets.

Liam sighed, trying not to lose his patient. This was the third time in the last couple of weeks that Louis had pulled this. The first two times, Liam and Niall had fallen for it, but each time the boy had perked up by midday, running around the house like nothing had been wrong. So now, Liam and Niall were determined to not let that happen again.

"Louis, you're going to school. We've been through this before," Liam said, walking further into the room. He moved to the side of the bed and pulled the covers back, revealing a very reluctant nine-year-old.

Louis sat up slowly, rubbing his eyes. "But Dad, I really don't feel good this time," he insisted.

Liam folded his arms across his chest, narrowing his eyes slightly. "You've said that before, Lou. You know you can't keep skipping school just because you don't feel like going. We don't have time for this today. Now, get dressed. We're leaving in ten minutes."

Louis bit his lip, his eyes flickering with something like panic, but Liam didn't catch it, too focused on getting everyone out the door. With a resigned sigh, Louis climbed out of bed, wincing slightly as he did.

Liam nodded, satisfied. "Good. Now hurry up."

As Liam turned to leave the room, Louis' stomach cramped painfully, and he doubled over, clutching his abdomen. He bit back a whimper, determined not to let his dad see. He knew they were in a rush, and he didn't want to make things harder, even though he felt awful.

Liam called out one more time as he moved down the hallway, "Louis, we don't have all day. Move it!"

Louis stumbled into the bathroom, feeling his stomach turn. He held onto it and quickly walked to the toilet before sitting down on it and releasing his bowels. Tears stung his eyes as he realized this wasn't like the other times. He was actually sick, and no one believed him.

Yes, it was true he had faked a couple of times recently, but that was just because he had been missing his parents. The past few weeks had been especially hard. His parents' work schedules had become more demanding at the hospital, and they often came home late, exhausted and stressed. And by the time they did get home, Louis was already in bed. During the weekends, when they were finally home, Louis tried to spend time with them, but it always felt like he was competing with Zayn and Harry for even a few moments of their attention.

That was when the idea of faking sick had come to him. It wasn't something he was proud of, but he was desperate. He thought that maybe, just maybe, if he could stay home from school, his parents would have no choice but to spend time with him.

Now, sitting in the bathroom, actually sick and feeling utterly miserable, Louis realized just how much his plan had backfired.

Louis wiped his eyes with the back of his hand, trying to pull himself together. He cleaned himself up and then moved to the sink to brush his teeth. Once he was done in the bathroom, he went back to his room and slowly put his uniform on and then headed downstairs.

As he reached the living room he saw his Papa, kneeling in front of Harry, helping him with his shoes. Zayn was already ready, sitting at the table and finishing off a bowl of cereal.

Niall glanced up when he saw Louis enter the room. "You're finally up," he said, giving his son a smile. "What do you want for breakfast?"

"Nothing," Louis mumbled, his voice barely above a whisper. He was about to tell his Papa that he had a stomachache when he cut him off.